Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1887-08-27
MODERN ABSURDITIES IN HOUSE DECORATIONS.

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The absurdities OF home decoration are appar-
emily limitless. / called the other day on an &C
Quaintance, who is invariably devoted follower
OF the latest fad In the art OF making home gro
teSque. and found her in wrapt admiration OF her
latest acquisition. The maid opened the front
door slowly and stepped softly back. She Was so
mysterious that she imbued Inc with some OF her
own emotion, and tlptoed into the hall after her.
On the lowest step OF the stairs the lady OF the
house with her round chin in her chubby hands
gazing in intense absorption at u new umbrella
ordinarily used Tor drains in the public streets
The two lengths We're set up side by side and
joined by series or silver bands. On each drain
pipe was terra-cotta vine, and an immaculate
White lily was painted near the top OF the Joint
ends. They were OF the same dusty and dirty hue
that Characterized them when taken out Of the
ground. In fact, the dirt had not been thoroughly
washed from them, except where the lilies we're
painted. This Was the latest thing In umbrella
racks.
Its not my own tdea," the lady OF the house
said regretfully, as stared at the extraordinary
mixture OF sewer pipes and high art; ''Uhe idea
comes from London, OF course. / saw them in a
dozen houses there, and when arrived ON the Au-
rama two weeks ago sent u note to Commissioner
Hess whom l know, and he had two bits OF Old
pipe sent to me from Broadway, where they are
tearing up the pavement so as to lay the wires
underground. They are deliciOuSly old and dis
reputable specimens ea and top anything saw
most sought after, and newnesS is to be alb
horred am going to Newport on Saturday. ia
go tomorrow only have TO wait until the car
penters can make black walnut case to hold the
rack" WV
"Are you going to carry it to Newport with
yOu?"
"Well, rather. 1t will be more of sensation
than anything that has been shown there thus far
THIS season. IL ought To carry me through the
first week amid intense excitement"
The craze Tor queer and uncOuth objects for
decorating houses grows more rapid constantly.
Not long ago was IN an apartment decorated nj.
most entirely by whips OF every cOnceiyable
fashion and size, from knout to modern cowboy
lash. The enect was unusually interesting 4
Philadelphia millionaire named Fales who diel
some years ago, had devoted great deal OF his
time TO collecting canes. They were from ali
quarters OF the globe, and ranged from the spike
sticks OF the South Sea Islanders to the .scritcn
and toOthp1ck' canes which We're popular in Lon
don at that time. Nearly all or them were sold at
auction In New YORK. never heard what became
OF the collection until about month ago when
saw nearly four hundred OF them ranged around
the walls OF library in big house In rcd street
They stood upright on the floor held by rack and
they formed an admirable substitute for wainscOt
ting. The history OF every cane was fastened on
the wall above the handle OF the stick to which t
referred.
! know OF Japanese room I'm which several
panels OF the wall are formed Japanese
with portraits OF various members OF the family
worked In. The head OF the house Is distfnguished
Dy eyeglasses and pair ~ enormous wRiskers
His portrait Is the most prominent one In the
room. All out the face Is japanese and no one
Japanese mandarin with side-whiskerS and eve.
glasses until they see this work OF art It is by All
odds the most wonderful thing ever saw vet the
family look upon 1t with abiect reverence TN.
extreme In decorative art Is becoming humorous
BLAYHLY Hall.